Commiphora wightii

Guggul (synonyms: Loban, Bedolachharz, Bedellium, bdellium, Gum guggulu, Indian myrrh ) is the resin of the Commiphora mukul tree balm. The yellowish to brown tree resin obtained by incising the trunk. The resin is used as incense. Bedellium was imported from India already in Roman times.

The resin is used in Ayurvedic medicine, among others, against rheumatism and obesity. Studies in a lowering effect on increased cholesterol and triglyceride levels could be detected. However, other studies showed a reduction in the " good" cholesterol (HDL ) with a constant or even increased "bad " cholesterol ( LDL). A reduction in the risk of heart attack or improving survival which also almost normal subjects ( only slightly elevated cholesterol levels at baseline ) was not investigated.